Nellore: The new general hospital, attached to the government medical college, built at an estimated cost of Rs 60 crore with the most advanced equipment and facilities is all set to open on March 31 but with insufficient manpower. It is a first of its kind hospital in Rayalaseema with a bed capacity of 700 and 7 modular anaesthetic and surgical paediatrics in the operation theatres.

The ICU with 120 beds divided equally for medical, surgical and paediatric patients is equipped with advanced multichannel monitors to keep a tab on every patient. With new cots, beds and furniture, the five floor hospital building equipped with seven lifts will be used exclusively for inpatients and laboratories. The old building will continue to be used for outpatients and casualty wings apart from administration department.

What is a matter of concern for the authorities is that the human resources are not in tune with the outstanding facilities. Posts of one professor, five associate professors, 52 technicians, 50 odd paramedical staff and 100 male and female nursing orderlies have been lying vacant. Principal of the Government Medical College Dr G. Ravi Prabhu has expressed confidence in filling the vacant posts in due course of time.

He said online applications will be invited for the post of technicians after the election code is over on March 25 to speed up the recruitment process. He said Collector R. Muthyala Raju has assured to extend his cooperation to hire MNOs and FNOs and theatre boys etc through outsourcing at the earliest.